Odors in Al Rams and Al Halilah caused by sardines.

Ras Al Khaimah’s Environment Protection and Development Authority (EPDA) has announced that the drying of sardines (which called locally “Al Oumah”), is the main reason behind the spread of odors in Al Rams and Halilah during the past few days. There is a specialized fish drying plant in the emirate, Ras Al Khaimah Fish Drying Factory. There is a specialized fish drying plant in the emirate, Ras Al Khaimah Fish Drying Factory. But the problem is the increase in the quantity of these fish, which led some fishermen to dry them near the shore. Dr Saif Mohammed Al Ghais, Director of EPDA, said the current period is the seasonal period for drying the “Oumah” before being packaged and put on the local market as well as exporting abroad.These fish are caught in large quantities in preparation for their drying and packaging. During the past period, a factory specialized in drying and packing these fish has been built for fishermen. The current quantities in the Halilah area near the Rams area are due to the abundant fishing of these fish. In general, “Oumah” are caught on the east coast and in the Arabian Gulf and used after being dried and packaged in bags. It is also used as fertilizer on farms and as animal feed. “Oumah” drying operations are well known in many countries They still exist because of their good economic impact on fishermen and traders.Number of people demanded to find radical solutions to the spread of unpleasant odors in residential areas near the area of Halilah. This problem recurs annually with the start of the Oumah fishing season. There should be innovative solutions to prevent odors from reaching residential areas.Mohammed al-Tunaiji residential of Al Rams said that the smells have increased recently in the region because of these fish, calling for radical solutions to this problem, which is repeated annually at this time of year. Saeed Mohammed from Halilah said that the problem of drying Oumah is frequant and not resolved despite the establishment of a factory specializing in fish drying, and there should be an action to move these fish away from the beaches to be dried, or rely on drying through the factory only.